Extensible ruler



Fevn a, 1970 CJ, swmsN y 3,492,131k

EXTEMSIBLE RULEH Filed Jan. 23, 1968 I I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 72g.. 5. 5+ .f3 402 R 102 Carl Josua .Swanson Feb. 3, 1970 Filed Jamn 23, 1968 C. J. SWANSON EXTENSIBLE RULER s sheets-sheet (arl .Josua .Swanson BY @JIA/94 Heb. '3, 1970 c. swANsoN 3,492,137

EXTENSIBLE RULER Filed Jan.' 23, 196e s sheets-'slum a il 7 5 20 l l /ya a E 2 2 5 l INVENTOR Caf/ Josua Sua/7.9m

BY Www?! Amy/W5' United States Patent O 3,492,737 EXTENSIBLE RULER Carl Josua Swanson, 114 W. 81st St., New York, N.Y. 10024 Filed Jan. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 699,909

Int. Cl. Gtllb 3/08 U.S. Cl. 33-161 9 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE An extensible rule having a plurality of telescopically engaged channel sections. The rule is provided with quickly detachable attachments for extending the range of its functional capabilities. The sections, except the outermost section, are frictionally slidable within each other nested in telescoping relationship. Each section has a at web and side walls lying in planes normal to that of the web. Shallow recesses are formed in the outer surfaces and graduated strips are positioned in the recesses. The outermost section is a rectangular tube with a closed rear wall for enclosing the other inner sections when the other sections are completely retracted within the outermost section.

This invention concerns an improved extensible rule.

One important object of the present invention is to provide a rule having a plurality of telescopically engaged channel shaped sections, with improved spring biased means for holding the sections in retracted and in extended positions.

A further object is to provide quickly detachable attachments for the extensible rule to extend the range of its functional capabilities.

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIGURE l is a reduced perspective kView of a rule embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on line 3 3 of FIG. l.

FIG. 4 is a reduced front elevational view of the rule in extended conditions, parts being broken away.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional View taken on line S5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, exploded perspective View of parts of a catch assembly shown assembled in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. l.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged front elevational view of part of the bottom section of the rule, with a pointer attachment thereon.

FIG. 9 is a side view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. l0 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the pointer atachment of FIGS. 8, 9 with the bottom section of the rule shown in an inverted position.

FIG. l1 is an enlarged perspective view of the innermost section of the rule with a bevel attachment thereon.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. l0, showing a pencil attachment on the innermost section of the rule, and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the pencil attachment and an associated thumb screw.

The rule constituting the present invention includes ice a plurality of telescoping, nestable sections 12-18; section 12 s a rectangular tube. Each of sections 13-18 is of substantially U-shaped channel form, with two side walls 19a, 19b disposed at right angles to its web 20. The outer section 12, as best shown in FIGS. l and 2, includes a shallow longitudinal recess 21 extending the full length of the outer surface of web 20'. Each of the other sections also has a longitudinal recess disposed on the outer surface of the web 20 thereof. Engaged in the several longitudinal recesses 21 are insert strips 23, the other surfaces of which are marked with linear graduations 24. The strips are made of any suitable durable plastic material. It will be noted that the strips 23 are recessed within the outer planes of the webs 20 so that only the lateral portions 26 of the webs of each inner channel contact the smooth inner sides 27 of the webs of the outer channels. This reduces sliding friction and makes it easier to extend and retract the rule. Also, the strips 23 are spaced from the sides of adjacent webs of outer channel sections so that the adjacent webs do not rub against the strips, relieving the strips from wear and prolonging their useful lives.

The several channel sections 13-18 are also formed with inwardly turned, confronting longitudinal flanges 28, the several anges being nested with the free edge 29 of each flange being offset from the corresponding edge of the next adjacent flange. The outermost channel section 12 which is a tube almost completely encloses the inner channel sections 13-18 when the rule is completely collapsed or retracted.

The inner surface of each side wall 19a, 19a' and 19b, 19h of sections 12-15 is formed with longitudinal extending recesses 30, 31 facing outer smooth sides of the inner sections. These recesses 30, 31 reduce the area of contact between adjacent side walls and further reduce sliding friction to facilitate easy extension and retraction of the several sections.

By the arrangement illustrated and described, when the rule is being extended or retracted, the sections offer a minimum amount of frictional resistance to the relative slidable movement thereof, thus making quite easy the task of extending the rule or retracting it after use. Furthermore, due to the provision of the several nestable reinforcing flanges and the rigid rectangular structure of the outer section 12, the rule is strongly reinforced against undesirable fiexure when fully extended.

A locking device is provided to hold the sections in any desired extended position. As clearly shown in FIGS. l, 2 a generally I-shaped bracket `40 is secured to the outer section 12 at its upper end. The barcket 40 has a Hange 41 secured `by screws 42 to the back wall 44 of section 12, and another flange 4S secured by screws 46 to side wall 19a. This structure defines a rectangular open tubular compartment 48 at the back of section 12 across which extends a rotatable threaded shaft 50. The shaft extends through holes 51a, 51b of flanges 45, 51 of the bracket. A screw 52 at the free and of the shaft holds the shaft to the bracket. A knob 55 is mounted on the other end of the shaft and is held by a cross pin 56. A block 58 having a threaded bore 53 is movably mounted on the shaft. This block has a flat side 58 slidable along the inner side of flange 59 of the bracket so that the block does not turn when the shaft turns. An arm 60 extends laterally from the block through a slot `61 formed in the upper end of back wall 44 of section 12. This arm has a finger 62 extending parallel to wall 44, to flange 59 andy to flanges 28 of the inner sections 13-18. When the knob 55 is turned, nger 62 engages the inner side of nearest wall 19a of the sections which still remains in tubular section 12, assuming one or more of the sections 13-18 have been extended from section 12.

In order to insure that the channel sections extend in turn starting with innermost section 18 and ending with outer channel section 13, there is provided a spring catch device shown to best advantage in FIGS. 1, 2. On llange 45 of -bracket 40 is mounted a sleeve 70 having a closed end 71. A flange 72 is formed on the open end of the sleeve and is engaged in a recess formed at the inner side of ange 45. Slidably disposed in this sleeve is cylindrical plug 74 in which is a recess 75 receiving a tensioned coil spring 76. The plug has a finger 77 of reduced diameter extending inwardly of the section 12 through registering holes 78 formed in each of sections 12-17. The linger 77 has a rounded or beveled end 79. lBy this arrangement, innermost section 18 can be extended while finger 77 extending through holes 78 holds all other sections stationary and nested within section 12. After section 18 is fully extended, section 17 can be pulled out. This will not displace section 16 because the linger 77 due to its beveled end retracts from the hole 78 of section 17 while remaining engaged in the holes 78 of the remaining sections. Thereafter, sections 16, 15, 14 and 13 can be pulled out of section 12.

In order to prevent the telescoped sections from pulling completely out of each other, there is provided a spring catch assembly 90 in each section. This spring catch assembly is shown to best advantage in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6. Each spring catch assembly comprises a movable tongue 92 having a beveled end 93 and laterally extending portion 94. The tongue is slidably disposed in a channel shaped catch plate 95 having closure plates 96 secured to webs 20 by screws 91 inside of each section near its upper end. A coil spring 97 in plate 95 bears on tongue 92. The catch assembly in each section is located near the bottom and thereof. A hole 99 is formed in side wall 19a or 19]) of each section 13-18. Tongue 92 extends outwardly of a hole 99 and engages in hole 99 of the next adjacent section. The catch assemblies are arranged so that the tongues 92 face in opposite directions in the successive sections. Thus, as indicated in FIG. 4, tongue 92 of upper most section 18 will extend to the right to engage in hole 99 near the upper end of wall 19a of section 17. The tongue 92' carried by section 17 extends to the left through a hole in side wall 1912 of next outer section 16. Tongue 92" carried by section 16 extends through a hole in the right side of section 15, etc. Outer section 13 has tongue 92a extending to the left through the wall 19b of section 12.

It will be noted that the beveled end 93 of each tongue faces downwardly and the longer side of the tongue faces upperwardly; thus the upper sections are locked to the next lower sections and serve to pull out the lower sections as the upper section are pulled out. To retract the sections it is only necessary to push in manually the tongue of the lowest extended section while pulling this section down. The tongue of each upper section in turn will retract when the tongue reaches the top of the next previously retracted section.

By the arrangement described, extension of the sections 18-13 takes place automatically and in turn when the upper section is pulled up and retraction occurs in reverse order. The retracted sections rest on plates 95 as shown in FIG. 7.

The section 18 can be pulled out by grasping a finger 102 which extends laterally outward outward of the upper end of section 18. This finger is formed at the upper end of an L-shaped bar 104 as shown in FIG. 3. Normally, nger 102 rests in registering slots 106 formed in the upper ends of side walls 19b of the sections 12-18. Bar 104 has a cutout or recess 108 in which extends a fixed stop block 110. This block limits extension of bar 104 to a point where the underside 102 of nger 102 is coplanar with the upper end of section 12 as indicated in FIG. 4. The rule can be used as an outside gauge by engaging nger 102 at the upper end of some support to which length is to be measured along the rule.

A threaded hole is formed in block 110 registering with a hole 116 in the side wall 19a of section 18. These holes can receive the threaded shank of a thumb screw 112 for supporting various attachments. A straight bevel blade 114 shown in FIG. 1l can be mounted on the side 19a of section 18 and turned in any desired angular position. The screw 112 will lock the blade in xed position.

Instead of bevel blade 114, a pencil carrier 120 can be mounted on the side 19a of section 18 as shown in FIG. l2. This pencil carrier has a rectangular base 121 provided with a spring loop 122 which receives pencil 124. The base and spring have aligned holes 125 which receive the threaded shank 111 of thumb screw 112 as shown in FIG. 13.

In FIG. 7, there is shown an elongated magnetic bar 160 pivotally secured at one end to a plate 162 fastened to the inner surface of closure plate 132 of section 12 as indicated at 164. A leaf spring 166 anchored at one end to closure plate 132 presses against the bar 160 to hold it against the plates 95 of the sections 13-18, to keep said sections from falling out or becoming displaced.

FIGS. 8l0 show a pointer bar 130 detachably mounted on the lower end of section 12. Section 12 has a bottom closure plate 132 held by screws 133. In this plate is a central threaded hole 134. Two other unthreaded holes 136 are aligned with hole 134 at opposite sides thereof across the plate. Shank 111 of thumb screw 112 can be inserted through a hole 138 in bar 130 and screwed into hole 134. A pin extending upwardly from bar 130 engages in either one of holes 136 depending on whether the pointed end of the bar is to face forwardly or rearwardly of the section 12. The pointer can -be used in cooperation with finger 102 or with bevel blade 114 for outside gauging purposes, or for marking purposes.

As shown in FIG. l, in the outer side 19a of section 12 can be provided a level with two right angle level capsules 152, 152, disposed longitudinally and transversely of the rule to insure that the rule is held vertically or horizontally, respectively, when such measurements are being made.

There has been described an extensible rule improved over prior known rules of this general character with many new features which increase its usefulness.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit -myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An extensible ruler, comprising a series of channel shaped sections, each section except the outermost section being frictionally slidable within another section in nested telescoping relationship, each section having a flat web and side walls lying in planes normal to that of the web, each of the sections having shallow recesses extending the length of the outer surface of the webs respectively, graduated strips engaged in the recesses with outer surfaces of the strips spaced inwardly from the outer surfaces of the Webs to minimize sliding friction and to prevent inner sides of the Webs from rubbing against the strips, each of the sections Within the outermost section having opposed ange extending inwardly Ifrom the side walls opposite from the webs for strengthening the sections, said outermost section being a rectangular tube with a closed rear wall for enclosing the other inner sections when the other sections are completely retracted within the outermost section, a bracket mounted on the upper end of the outermost section, a threaded shaft rotatably carried by the bracket, a monostable threaded block carried by the shaft and movable axially of the shaft when the shaft is turned, said block having a laterally extending arm formed with a fin-ger extending into the inner sections and engageable with side walls thereof when the shaft is turned for locking the inner sections in position in the outermost section, a sleeve carried by said bracket and extending outwardly of the outermost section, a spring biased plug movable axially in the sleeve, said sections having registering holes receiving a free end of said pl-ug to prevent undesired extension of the inner sections when the linger of said block is disengaged from the inner sections, said plug having a pointed end to enable automatic withdrawal of the plug from any section as the last named section is withdrawn forcibly from the outermost section.

2. An extensible ruler as recited in claim 1, further comprising a catch plate located inside of each of the inner sections near its bottom end, a spring biased movable catch element in each catch plate for engaging in a hole near the upper end of each other section when the sections are fully extended for holding the sections fully extended.

3. An extensible ruler as recited in claim 1, further comprising a spirit level mounted on the outermost section for indicating when the rule is held in vertical and horizontal positions respectively.

4. An extensible ruler as recited in claim 1, further comprising an L-shaped bar sldably mounted in the upper end of the innermost section, said bar having a laterally extending finger to facilitate extending the sections and to serve as an outside gauging element.

5. An extensible ruler as recited in claim 1, wherein the innermost section has a threaded hole for receiving an attachment to extend the range of utility of the rule.

6. A extensible ruler as recited in claim 5, wherein said attachment is a flat bevel blade, and a thumb screw engaged in the threaded hole and holding the blade on the innermost section.

7. An extensible ruler as recited in claim 5, wherein said attachment is a pencil holder, and a thumb screw engaged in the threaded hole and holding the pencil holder on the innermost section.

8. An extensible ruler as recited in claim 4, further comprising a pointer bar detachably secured to the bottom end of the outermost section for cooperation with the laterally extending nger of the L-shapedy bar in making outside gauging measurements.

9. An extensible ruler as deiined in claim 3, further comprising an elongated magnetic bar pivotally secured to the lower end of the extensible ,ruler and adapted to be engaged by the lower ends of the slidable sections as they are nested one within the other, and leaf spring means in the lower end of the ruler biasing the elongated magneic bar against the lower ends of the sections upon the lower ends of the sections engaging the same, whereby to keep the sections from falling out from the ruler on becoming displaced from the r-uler.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 160,471 3/1875 Robinson 33-161 1,003,626 9/1911 Malcolm 33-161 1,957,838 5/1934 Keuffel.

2,245,646 6/ 1941 Bullivant 33-161 X 2,356,544 8/1944 Swanson 33-161 2,740,201 4/ 1956 Swanson 33-161 FOREIGN PATENTS 5,372 1909 Great Britain. 434,166 8/ 1935 Great Britain.

WILLIAM D. MARTIN, JR., Primary Examiner Us. ci. Xn. 33 189 

